A record of my first half marathon (21.0975km) from training through race day.
Race Result
| Distance | 21.1km |
| Finish time | 1:58:42 |
| Pace | 5:37/km |
| First 10km | 56:10 (5:37/km) |
| Last 11km | 1:02:32 (5:41/km) |
Pace dropped slightly in the second half but stayed close to even. Happy with how it went for a first attempt.
Training (Last 3 Months)
Four runs per week as the base structure.
Mon: Rest or strength training
Tue: Intervals (400m × 8 or 1km × 5)
Wed: Rest
Thu: Tempo run (threshold pace, ~5km)
Fri: Rest
Sat: Long run (15–21km)
Sun: Easy run or rest (~5km easy)Total volume: ~280km over 3 months (~93km/month average)
Race Pacing Strategy
Target: sub-2 hours (5:41/km pace).
Planned pace zones:
- 0–5km: 5:50/km (hold back)
- 5–15km: 5:35/km (cruise)
- 15–21km: adjust based on feel
Starting slow is critical. The race-day adrenaline makes it easy to go out too fast — if you do, the back half falls apart. I checked my GPS watch at every km marker to stay honest.
Nutrition
| Timing | What |
|---|---|
| 30 min before start | 1 banana, 1 rice ball |
| 10km mark | 1 gel (MAURTEN 100) |
| 15km mark | 1 gel (MAURTEN 100) |
| Aid stations | Water only |
Always test your gels in training before race day. GI issues mid-race are avoidable.
Gear
- Shoes: Nike Pegasus 41 (cushioned, beginner-friendly)
- Apparel: Quick-dry polyester top and shorts
- Watch: Garmin Forerunner 165
- Extras: Sunglasses, cap
I skipped carbon-plate shoes this time. Until running form is solid, it makes more sense to build it on a normal shoe than to rely on the plate.
What I’d Do Differently
- Hip flexor weakness — Tightness showed up after 15km. Need more core and hip mobility work in training.
- Hydration — Skipped 1–2 aid stations and felt it after 15km. Don’t skip them.
Next Goals
- Sub-1:55 (5:27/km pace)
- Monthly volume up to 100km+
- Raise interval intensity (estimated VO2max currently 51, targeting 52+)
Training plan breakdown and Garmin data analysis in a future post.